The best time to buy travel art...after your trip?

Have you ever been on an international trip and wanted to buy a piece of art to bring back home?  Far too many travelers would love to bring home artwork that commemorates their trip but find it logistically impossible.

CoCo Artist Suhita S. depicts the Mayan ancient site Chichenitza in a watercolor.

First, trips are often jam packed with site-seeing and experiences.  Finding the right gallery or researching a local artist and fitting a visit into your itinerary is usually impossible.  

CoCo Artist David P. depicts Mt. Rainier in a realistic way, but overlaid with pop-art dots.

Furthermore, carrying the work back home is also an issue -- either it’s too big to carry on, or you didn’t plan in advance by bringing another suitcase for check-in (who does?!).  With all the other knick-knacks that might be stuffed in your bags, it’s hard to justify a quick and uncertain art purchase among those.

CoCo Artist Teji K. captures a Bombay street scene with textured palette knife strokes in acrylics.

Finally, as you emotionally escape daily life during your vacation, it can be hard to visualize where in your home this work would go, if it would fit within the color scheme or even the space available.  It’s not like we bring floor plans and color swatches with us on our vacations!

CoCo Artist Francis L. shows a serene safari scene of mother and child.

Once you are back, you can commemorate your trip with a commissioned work of art. Look through your photos and choose your most cherished memory; use it as the inspiration for your custom work of art.  You’ll be able to pick the perfect travel memory, spot in your home and the exact dimensions to fit the space.

Email us at info@cocogallery.net if you want to brainstorm some options for travel art!

Brushstrokes: Interview with CoCo Artist Toni S.

“Aerialscapes,” a term coined by CoCo Artist Toni S., refers to her paintings of urban to rural landscapes from a flattened, above ground perspective.  In our interview with her, Toni tells us a little more about how these unique depictions from the sky come to life, and what they are really all about.

Paterson, NJ, 16"X16", acrylic on canvas by CoCo Artist Toni S. 

CoCo: What inspired you to become an artist?

Toni: I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. Growing up, I spent a lot of time drawing and painting. Art is a passion that I was lucky enough to be born with. It is a joy and part of my being alive.   

After studying painting at the Philadelphia College of Art and realizing that I needed a job, I pursued studies in graphic design as a career. I applied my application of graphic solutions to my painting concepts and the abstract representation of my imagery, which was present in my design work.

Toni S.'s Studio

CoCo: Who is your art for?

Toni: Regardless of the time, I believe my raison d’être as an artist is to share my vision of the world. I want my aerialscapes to be a commentary on our lifestyles and environment, a collection of urban and suburban way of life as well as a representation of the natural and industrial worlds. I will be satisfied if my paintings encourage people to step back and see our world as affected by humanity in a different light.

NYC Water tanks, 48"X48", acrylic on canvas by CoCo Artist, Toni S.

CoCo: What do you think your aerialscapes bring to their environment?

Toni: My aerial-view paintings represent various places and spaces of the contemporary landscape seen from an above ground perspective. The flattened surface planes convey the textures of abstract space enhanced by compositional aesthetics and skillful use of color. My images of cities and towns, factories and farmlands, power plants, suburban communities and highways are conceived with a distinctive angle on structures and a fresh visual vocabulary. The flattened plane reduces details to strong graphic images. I like the subject for its many aspects and possibilities.

Wanting to depart from traditional landscape perspective, but still incorporate realism, the view from above allows me to combine elements of abstraction and representation, pattern and grid, surface and illusion, as well as observation, imagination, and memory. My work can be understood on many levels, from the simple interplay of shape and color to the narrative of the pictorial story.

Jodhpur, India, 36"X48", acrylic on canvas by Toni S.

CoCo: What is your artistic/creative process?

Toni: I start with a location that fits my narrative, then proceed to sketch my idea from one of my own photographs or stock material using the bird’s eye view. The next step is to block out the shapes, patterns and color working with Photoshop to further refine composition and color. Although the color is not realistic, there are close similarities. Finally it is time to work at the easel.

Open Field Cultivation, 30"x30", acrylic on canvas by CoCo Artist Toni S.

CoCo: Tell us about an interesting piece that you have displayed in your own home.  Where exactly is it, and why is it there?

Toni: Edison Industrial is a bird's eye view of a New Jersey industrial area including industrial plants, factories, farms and homes.  I attempted to capture the landscape with somber color and let the pictorial tell the story. Hovering above, it examines the relationships between the man-made and the natural. It is hanging in my dining room with NJ Subdivision, both 48” x 60”.

Edison Industrial and NJ Subdivision by CoCo Artist Toni S.

CoCo: Tell us about your favorite commission.

Toni: The One, in Jersey City was a rewarding challenge. A real estate developer wanted an aerial view that portrayed the location. Through a series of sketches the image was developed.

The One by CoCo Artist Toni S.

4 Landscape Commission Ideas that are Beautiful and Meaningful at the Same Time

We believe that landscape paintings can add charm to any interior.  They bring a taste of the most beautiful and scenic places to an indoor setting in a way that no amount of floral pillows and rugs can provide.  Why not make the landscape painting in your home one that is personal to you?  Perhaps, something that reminds you of your favorite place, a special place, or just a place without which your life wouldn’t be the same.  Here are a few ideas, directly from CoCo clients:

Artwork by Julia C.

1)   Your honeymoon getaway

It’s back to reality after a trip as special as a honeymoon.  But while you’re in the middle of your daily grind, what better reminder of a magical reality that once was than to look up and see your favorite honeymoon scene depicted on canvas?

Artwork by Charlotte E.

2)   Your childhood home

We often look back at our childhood with fondness – the innocence, carefree spirit, and laughter of our formative years are hard to recreate in any other time period and yet so important to retain throughout life.  Having a visual depiction of the place that reminds us most of where we grew up can help bring back the atmosphere of a time that has passed.

Artwork by Brooks S.

3)   Your most adventurous vacation

Have you ever done something so adventurous that thinking about it brings back a side of you that you can’t seem to exhibit otherwise during the everyday?  Perhaps you trekked in Peru, went on a safari in Africa, or island hopped in the Galapagos?  What better way to revert to the explorer in you than to have your most memorable experience depicted in a painting, destined for that huge spot right above the desk in your home office?

Artwork by Patty S.

4)   Your everyday neighborhood park

Whether it’s Central Park in New York City or just the lovely clearing of flowers and grass down the block, there is beauty to many of the places we frequent on a daily basis.  An original painting of one of these spots can allow you to see your everyday in a more special way…

Brushstrokes: Interview with CoCo Artist Laura G.

Today, we would like to share our chat with CoCo Artist Laura G. Her abstract depictions of the infinite sky transport viewers to a place of meditative serenity. They tend to provide a window to the beyond, especially in closed settings like long hallways and dark rooms. And yet, they also expand large environments, when natural light reflects upon them. Meet Laura.

CoCo Artist Laura G. in her studio.

CoCo: How would you describe your artwork?
Laura: I paint large-scale atmospheric oil paintings. As an artist, I strive to transport the viewer to a more peaceful dreamlike setting. In this hectic fast-paced world, it is my hope that the viewer will experience a moment of tranquility when viewing my work. 

CoCo: What inspired you to become an artist?
Laura: I was inspired to become an artist because I found a sense of serenity while I was painting. I think I am my happiest whenever I am creating. I was also fortunate as a child to visit art museums whenever my family took vacations and I remember feeling such a sense of awe staring at wonderful works of art. There was something very powerful about viewing famous pieces of art in person. It left quite an impression on me at a young age.

CoCo: Describe one of your favorite clients.
Laura: One of my favorite clients was Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. I got to visit the hospital and meet some of the patients. They were such sweet kids and so excited about art in general. I love when I’m able to see where my work will “live” and meet the people who will experience it on a daily basis.

CoCo: What does your work bring to its environment?
Laura: My paintings bring a sense of calm and peace to its environment as well as a burst of color. I like to think of my paintings as windows, looking out onto another world.

CoCo: What is your artistic process?
Laura: I start a painting usually with an image in my mind or a feeling I want to communicate. My paintings are places of my imagination. I find my work the most honest and authentic when I create from a feeling or an image in my mind’s eye.

CoCo: What is your favorite piece?
Laura: My favorite piece changes quite often but my current favorite is “Ciel Colorado.” I have really loved working with shades of lavender, purple, blues and greys lately. I love the understated palette; it feels so soothing to me.

Ciel Colorado, 44"x72", oil

CoCo: What is your favorite thing about doing a commission?
Laura: My favorite thing about commissions is that it is a true collaboration between the client and myself. I love creating something unique and specific to one client. It is fun to have an ongoing dialog with the client about what they envision and then bringing those ideas to life.

If you are interested in collaborating with Laura G., please contact us at info@cocogallery.net. We're happy to share more information about Laura and more of her artwork with you.